Arteta's business is now beginningplaceholder image
Arteta's business is now beginning | AFP via Getty Images
All the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding Arsenal as they kick off their summer business.
Mikel Arteta needs many more than two signings though, and Andrea Berta will be continuing his hard work as he looks to wrap up deals aplenty ahead of the new summer. Here we round up all the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding Stamford Bridge.
Joao Pedro option
A surprise option Arsenal could have in their bid to sign a striker this summer could be Brighton forward Joao Pedro, according to a fresh report from The Telegraph. They claim the Gunners are considering Pedro as a possible option if they can’t land one of their priority striker targets this summer.
Newcastle Untied have been heavily linked with the Seagulls forward, while Chelsea have also been regularly credited with an interest. Talk of Arsenal being interested could speed up Newcastle’s attempts to get the deal over the line this summer.
Partey situation could still change
Arsenal could yet reach an agreement with Thomas Partey over a new contract despite claims he could be on his way out. That’s according to Charles Watts, who told CaughtOffside: “Thomas Partey’s situation at Arsenal remains open. My information at the time of writing is that a final decision has not been taken and that contract talks have not completely ended.
“Obviously the longer this drags on without there being a breakthrough then the likelihood increases that Partey will move on as a free agent this summer, but as far as I’m aware we are not at that stage just yet. So there could still be a breakthrough in the discussions, but that would need to happen quickly because both sides want clarity on the situation. If Partey does end up leaving then Arsenal would have to go into the market to bring in another midfielder.
“They already have their big money replacement sorted in Zubimendi, but I don’t think that would be enough if Partey follows Jorginho through the exit door this summer. They would need someone else, maybe a younger player who they could develop over the next couple of years. I’ve seen Lucien Agoume at Sevilla mentioned as a possible target and that is the sort of player I think could fit the profile of what they need.”
Parlour on Sesko
Arsenal favourite Ray Parlous has questioned one part of Benjamin Sesko’s game, but he believes the Gunners should press ahead and get the signing done. “It’s not rocket science, is it? It’s glaring at you,” he told Talk Sport. “Sesko has got everything going for him. He’s a young lad, he can improve, he’s strong, he’s quick.
“He’s not great in the air, he can do better in the air probably, if I’m being honest. But he’s on their radar” Sesko is understood to be Arsenal’s main striker option this summer, along with Viktor Gyokeres.
Continue Reading